Huntsville, Texas

A Plan Worth Following

Clear Direction, Confident Leadership & a Downtown People Notice

Huntsville Main Street

Population

Vibrancy Grant Funding

Individual Grant Awards

The challenge

A program in flux

When Amanda Sewell stepped in as Main Street Director, Huntsville’s program was struggling. Turnover in the manager role was high, trust with downtown business and property owners had worn thin, and the board had little to rally behind. Without clear direction, each new manager was left to start over, and the program lost ground every time.

The result

Direction, momentum and a board that leads

Downtown Strategies delivered a Downtown Action Plan built around practical, bite-sized steps instead of a repackaged list of familiar problems. Huntsville’s team went through it line by line and pulled out everything they could act on right away. The plan now guides annual budgeting, supports the program’s Main Street accreditation, and gives the board a clear role. Board members who once served as figureheads are now taking initiative and advocating for downtown on their own.

“Partnering with Downtown Strategies is the best money that you’re going to spend. The return on investment on this has been great for us. Since then, we have renewed interest in downtown. We have renewed investment in downtown.”

Amanda Sewell Hunstville Main Street Director

Project Scope

Downtown Huntsville, Texas partnered with Downtown Strategies to bring structure and stability to its Main Street program. The partnership produced a Downtown Action Plan [5-year?] that turned big goals into manageable, prioritized projects, giving the program a roadmap for budgeting, accreditation and board engagement.

From Plans to Action

Deliverables & Technical Assistance

Delivered a Downtown Action Plan with prioritized, actionable projects
Provided a framework for annual goal setting and budget planning
Supported the program’s Main Street accreditation process
Walked the board through the plan to define its role in implementation

Impacts & Outcomes

Grew the Vibrancy Grant program from $5,000 to $20,000 in total funding
Doubled individual awards from $1,000 to $2,000 as a 50/50 match
Re-engaged the board as active advocates for downtown
Generated renewed interest and investment downtown
Built community pride, with residents noticing and praising downtown improvements

We've Been in Your Shoes

The partnership between Downtown Strategies and Clewiston has transformed a dormant CRA into a proactive force for downtown revitalization. Through strategic planning and hands-on support, the community is on track to unveil a selfie wall mural in Summer 2025, celebrating its agricultural roots and inviting visitors to experience “America’s Sweetest Town.” This success demonstrates the power of small-scale, community-driven projects to spark lasting change.